Like this:

When a Texan is in another nation and is asked what country he is from, he will immediately respond, “Texas.” The person doesn’t respond with ‘America’ or ‘United States’ but just “Texas”. There is the old saying that the Texan sees himself Texan first, American second. But what is really funny is how every foreigner understands the Texan. The Texan is not interrupted to hear, “I’ve never heard of this country called ‘Texas’” or “That’s a state, not a country.” All the time the foreigner nods and understands completely.

So it is funny to me to hear Iwata say, “Let’s hear your impressions of Texas…” as opposed to “Let’s hear your impressions of the United States…” or “Let’s hear your impressions of Austin…”

“What are you talking about?” demands the reader. I am talking about the latest Iwata Asks interview that is about Mario Kart 7. Usually, these interviews have become a tiresome bore. But this time there are Retro employees there to make things more interesting. And you do know how I love things that are interesting…

MorimotoThe steak I had there was absolutely incredible, and I thought, “You know, I do believe I could live here!”This is what they all say. I do hope Retro introduced NCL to Dr. Pepper as well (which is produced in Texas). I’m not sure how game development is possible without Dr. Pepper. But at least Retro had the sense to take Morimoto to a good steak house and not one those bizarre Austin restaurants (they know what I’m talking about).

Tanabe-san said “They have armadillos there!” so I looked for them, but, sadly, I never saw one. (laughs)

Perhaps we should send him an armadillo. What I find interesting is that Tanabe says how ‘dry’ it is. No, it isn’t (well maybe lately with the drought). Get a little closer to Houston and the weather becomes ridiculously humid (OMG that August heat).

IWATA: This time, we couldn’t free up enough internal design members, so we approached Retro, and that’s how it all started

This doesn’t make sense. Nintendo doesn’t have enough internal design members for Mario Kart? Get out of here. Folks, Mario Kart is the NUMBER ONE Nintendo franchise. Not Zelda. Not Metroid. Not 3d Mario. Maybe 2d Mario. But Mario Kart is the premier Nintendo franchise at the moment. Mario Kart DS and Mario Kart Wii sales are so far beyond anything originally projected. No one thought Mario Kart Wii would outsell Grand Theft Auto IV.

I don’t buy this whole ‘we can’t find internal designers for our number 1 franchise’. This is just something Iwata is saying as an excuse to tap into Retro’s talents for their number one franchise. If I was in Iwata’s position, I’d do the same thing too.

One thing that is funny to me is that Nintendo and America have always been associated with Seattle in Washington state (where NOA is located). Retro Studios is located in Malstrom’s neighborhood. It is amusing to me to see Nintendo become more and more associated with my backyard.

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